Method of and apparatus for producing paper-material closure disks



March 26, 1929. w. L. WRIGHT l 1,707,107

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS-FOR PRODUCING PAPER MATERIAL CLOSURE DISKS Filed Sept. 24, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l Suucntor wim Gttorncg March 26, 1929. w. LfwRlGH'r 1,707,107 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PAPER MATERIAL CLOSURE DISKS Filed sept. 24, 1927 v4 sheets-sheet 2 :Snventor Cttorneg \MN f I ||AL Ali! d March 26, 1929.v w, L wRlGHT 1,707,107

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PAPER MATERIAL OLO-SURE DISKS f' Filed sept. 24, 1927 4 sheets-sheet ,5

March 26, 1929. WIL, WRIGHT 1,707,107

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PAPER MATERIAL CLOSURE DISKS Filed Sept. 24, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Gttorncg atented Mar. 26, 1929..

NITED @TAT nennen or AND APPARATUS non rnonnrcrnararnannfrnamr. cnosnan mene.

Application filed September 224, 1927.. Serial Ita. ttl.

'lhis invent-ion relates to the production ot paper closures, such as so-calledbottle caps., that are formed with pull tabs composed ot and intended to be split up from the paper 5 boardor material ot the caps, and the invention involves a novel method and apparatus lor carrying out suchmethod; and those skilled in the art will readily understand the object and nature ot the invention in the light io ot the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what l now believe to be the preferred'mechanical ex pression ot' my invention and that can be employed to carry out my method, from among la other torms, combinations, arrangements, and

steps Within the spirit and scope ot the invention.

ln object ot the invention is to provide a simple and eiiicient method lor the produc au' tion ot' closure dislts that are ineised tor the splitting and elevation ot portions thereof to -ltorm pull talos to be grasped by the lingers tor extracting the caps from the mouths oi the containers closed by such caps, and, as to certain types ot disks, with respect to the partial or initial splitting or separation ot such pull tabs during the process of making the caps.

A :tur-ther object ot' the invention is to provide a method ot and means tor providing Btl sible piel; up edges exposed by adjacent top recesses or depressions.

il. further object ot the invention is to pro-` vide eflicient apparatus lor the automatic quantity production oi2 closure disks incised` tor splitting to produce pull talos.

With these and other obj eets in view my invention consists in certain combinations and novel arrangements and features and in a novel method, as more lully and particularly described and specitied hereinatter.

ltelerring to the accompanying dravvings forming a part hcreol 7 Fig. l is a diagrammatical perspective el apparatus that can be employed lor carrying on my method and that embodies my inven tion.

Fig. l shovvs in plan a ribbon ol paper stoclt, illustrating more or less diagrammati cally the various steps or operations in the production ol a. certain closure dist: torination, perlormed by the apparatus ol Fig. l.

9L isa detail vertical section on an en lai-ged scale talren longitudinally ot a por the pull tabs oi such caps vvith readily accestion ot the apparatus of Fig. l, showing the head on its return or upward stroke. f

Fig. 3 is a detail somewhat dia rammatieal plan view of the assemblage oi ig. 2, with parts above the dottedline 3-3, removed, certain hidden parts being indicated by dot- Figs. 4, 5, 6, l, and 8, are detail perspective views of certain operating parts included in the structure illustrated by Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 9, is a detail vertical sectional vievv taken longitudinally of the web of paper stock, which is shovvn exaggerated in thieltness, to illustrate the action ot the pins in elevating or separating the piek up end ot' a pull tab from the loodl of stock, the elevated portion ot the tab eing exaggerated in length and possibly in elevation.

Fig. 9, isa detail vertical section of the operative parts and paper stoclr ot Fig. tt, showing the stoclr elevated by the spring lplunger to clear the needles, when the presser eel is elevated clear ot the stack.

F ig. lll is a perspective ol a closure dislr produced by the apparatus ot Fig. l, and aeeording to the steps illustrated by Fig. l, but vvth the pull tab stripped and swunf up as when in use to extract the dislr troni abbottle mouth.

Fig. ll shows another form ot closure dislr that can be produced by the apparatus disclosed by rendering certain features inoperativc or removing them.

Fig. l2 is a detail vicvv in vert-ical longitudinal section showing did'erent means tor partially splitting the tabs trom the paper stoclr, that can be substituted in the apparatus ot Fig. l, lor the puncturing needle mechanism ot Figs. il, 3, tl, ll and 9a.; the recipron eating head being shown elevated and the paper vveb at rest in position to be operated on by said head.

Fig. t3 is a detail vertical longitudinal section showing the structure ot llig. l@ with said head at its limit ol dovvnvvard operative strolre, illustrating its action on the paper web or stoclt.

Fig. 'll is a detail perspective vievv ol the paper vveb and parts ot Figs. l2 and ld.

Figs. lli, lo and ll" are detail longitudinal vertical sections and a top plan, illustrating another construction and arrangement lor splitting up the piclr up end ol the tab.

ln Fig. l ol the drawings, l short appara lid titl

ltlll tus for producing closure disks of the general type disclosed by my Patent No. 1,595,848 dated August 10, 1926.

In this apparatus, the stock or paper board is fed in the form of a ribbon a, from a roll a', through the apparatus step by step by suitable feed devices, such as F, Fe; and by printing apparatus such as P, areas of the stock or ribbon a, that are to be ultimately punched or cut from the stock in the form of disks are imprinted with the desired indicia. The vertically reciprocating punch gang Pu, cuts or punches the closure caps from the ribbon a, and the closure disks or caps are deposited on oifbearing belts o, for packing and if need be for waxing or other waterproofing processing. The waste stock a, that is the ribbon a, after the caps or disks have been cut therefrom, is usually wound into a roll Apparatus of the general type so far described is well known in the art.

I have introduced into this apparatus means to incise and otherwise perform operations on the areas of the ribbon of stock that are to be ultimately punched out in the form of closure disks, to produce a flat disk that embodies a portion ca pable of being split up from the body of the disk to form a pull tab.

For instance, referring to Fig. l, of the drawings, I have provided this apparatus with mechanisms to incise the paper ribbon fitted d'own in the (groove g. In the specific through'its top surface, partially throughout the thickness of the paper for the purpose of outlining in'whole or in part a pull tab t, on the top face of the paper web, as per A; and to then impress a transverse groove g, in the top face of this tab t, step B, to later receive a staple; and to then cut out and remove a paper plug to form the tab end and provide the recess c, see step C; and then, see D, to Hatten and depress the floor of this recess c; and then, see E, to separate or strip the pick up end portion t', of the tab t; and then to drive the staple s, through the ribbon a, and' clinch the same at the under side thereof with the cross portion of the staple example illustrate the staple, or so-called stitching, is applied, and on the next step the gang punch Pu, descends and cuts or punches out the completed cap or disk; these two steps being indicated at Pa.

In this apparatus, the paper stock ribbon is fed forward ste by step and remains at rest between the iorward movements, and while the ribbon is at rest after each forward movement, the various operations A, B, C, D, E, and stapling and punching are performed, that is, these various operations are performed simultaneously on various parts of the ribbon while the ribbon is at rest.

The apparatus can be constructed to operate on a narrow ribbon of stock to produce one completed closure disk at each stroke, or

it can be constructed to operate on a ribbon,

of any suitable width with gangs of operating devices and punches, as illustrated, to produce a nulnber of completed disks at each stroke.

If so desired the printing mechanism can be omitted or thrown out of action.

Also, where a closure disk having top and bottom non-alined incisions, see my Patent No. 1,403,532, January 17, 1922, is to be produced with a top recess formed by cutting out and removing a plug of the disk to expose the pick up end of the tab, and wherein the tab is not stitched or stapled, and is not stripped at its pick-up end during manufacture, I can remove or throw out of action the mechanisms that perform steps B, E, and the stitching or stapling operation so that the apparatus on step A will form the top and bottom incisions, and on the next step will remove the paper plug to form the recess c, and on the next step will flatten and compress the floor of the recess c, and on the next step will bring punches Pu, into operation to cut out and remove the completed disks.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the mechanisms for carrying out the steps A, to E, both inclusive, embody a fixed bed 3, over which the stock ribbon a, travels, and a vertically reciprocatory horizontally disposed head 4, under which the paper ribbon a, travels, arranged above the bed 3, and provided with any suitable operating mechanism, such as 5, actuated in timed relation with respect to the ribbon feed and the other mechanisms such as P, S, and Pu, as herein set forth.

This vertically reciprocatory cross head 4, at the under side of its working face, carries the thin vertical depending incising blade 6, of any suitable and desirable form and construction, to cooperate with the dic plate 7, on the bed 3, and incise the paper stock a, say about half way through its thickness to in whole or in part forni or outline tbc tab t, step A, Fig. 1. If the closure disk of my Patent 1,403,532 is to be formed by the apparatus, the die plate 7 will be provided with an upstanding smaller non-alincd i11- cising blade to enter the stock ribbon a, from below, and incise the paper stock about half Way through from the bottom.

'Io perform the next operation, step B, Fig. l, die member 8, depends from the under or working side of the head 4, and at its under face provides a projecting presser or die rib 8, to cooperate with a die plate 8b, on the bed 3, andfdepress the groove g, in the tab panel t. This member 8, can be removed if the closure disk is not to be stapled.

To perform the step C, Fig. l, the cross head 4, is formed with a vertical hollow cutting punch 9, depending from its under or working face to cooperate with the die plate 9a, carried by the bed 3, in cutting and removing the plug of paper from the web a,

lll)

momen to form the top 'recess c, extending down about halt way through the web.

rlhe cutting edge ot the punch 9, is transversely elongated or oblong in form and this punch is hollow witha tapered upwardly enlarging bore 9", which is so formed and arranged that the plugs ot paper eut from the ribbon a, by the depending annular cutting edge el the punch will be lifted` with the punch on its upward stroke', trom the ribbon a, and so that the column ot contacting paper plugs will be 'torced upwardly in the bore ot the punch. rl`he upward enlargement ot this bore or passage ot the punch permits the paper plugs to assemble loosely therein and to teed trecly upwardly, and ll have devised means lor and a method ot automatically removing and discharging these loosely assembled paper plugs trom the bore or interior ot the punch by an air-blast or by suction.

'lo this end, the cross head t, is termed or provided with a tubular bor or chamber 9, in upward continuation ot 4the bore 9", oit the punch 9, to receive the collection ot paper plugs trom said bore. llt its upper end this chamber 9C, opens or discharges into an odtalre air duct 9d, that can communicate through leirible pipe connection 9e, with a suitable air-vented paper plug collection receptacle 9i, l). lll`he cross head l, is also :termed or provided with a compressed air duct 9g, coupled with a suitable blower (not shown) through pressure air tlenible pipe connection 9h. 'll his compressed air duct 9g, discharges laterally into paper plug col lection chamber 9, at a point between the punch and otltalre duct 91, with the result that the paper plugs are agitated and sucked and blown trom the chamber and discharged with the air blast into receptacle 9. ln a rapidly operating quantity production machine, the removal aruldisposul olf the paper plugs is a .serious problem, which has been suecesstully solved by the utilization ot' the hollow punch und the removal ther-eet by air currents generated by pressure ditlerential either by a suction or a blower' tan or pump.

ll'uasmuch at; the door ot the top recess c, 'formed b v tbe'action ot punch 9, may be lett in a rough uneven condition, l usually`preter to level, smooth and depress said door, by a separate operation, alter the particular cap lori-ning area et the ribbon a, has moved on.

its next step torward trom the punch 9, (at step C) and has come to rest at step D, at which point the vertically movable cross head is provided with a depending presser toot 10. rllhis toot l0, has a dat bottom tace and approximates the shape and dimensions ot the recess c, to enter the same, on the downward stroke et cross head d, while the ribbon a, is at rest, and exert more or less heavy downward pressure against the Floor ot recess c, baclred by die plate l0, to thereby smooth out and depress said lloor and conipact thefpaper fibers and assure a recess e, of the desired depth with a more or less smooth-surfaced door, and to thereby assure the splitting up ot the pick-up end oit the tab t, of the tull thickness desired.`

after the step D, wherein the door et the recess is flattened and compressed, the ribbon ai, moves forward a step, bringing the area ot the ribbon e, that has passed through the preceding steps Anto D, to rest tor the step or operation lil, whereby the piclr up end t", ot the tab t, is elevated and split trom the body ot the ribbon. 'lhis initial separation or splitting ot the tab trom its p'ielr up end tor a short distance can be accomplished in various ways. ln the particular embodiment illustrated by Figs. 2, 3, 8, 9, and 9a, this result is accomplished by torcing the ribbon down on the sharp ends el one or more upright pointed pins ll, that puncture the ribbon immediately below the tip end et the tab so that thesaid end el the tab will split and separate trom the body ot the ribbon under the pressure ot the pln points as the body oit the web a, is depressed. 'lhe paper will hori- Zontally splitand `separate as it descends and permit the tab end to remain elevated before the pin points puncture the tab itselt. rlhe resistance ot the tab against puncturing by the pins exceeds the strength et the paper against splitting horizontally in the plane ot the llocr ot recess c, and the bottom ot the incision outlining the tab t, and intersected by recess c. t

llt the station where step ld, is pertormed, a die plate lla, is secured on the bed 3, and one or more vertical pin points ll, is or are tired in andrise trom said die plate so that the ribbon 0;, normally travels and is arranged above the same and so that when the ribbon comes to rest these pin points, below the ribbon, will be located below the inner or piola-up end oit the tab that to be separated or elevated.

'lhe length ot the vertical projection et these pin points above the top surt'ace oit die plate ll, determines the distance the tab end will be elevated from the plane et the ribbon a, when the ribbon is torced down around the points onto the top tace ot the die plate lla.

'lllhe ribbon a, is torced down toward the top tace ot the die plate il, by a. pusher toot rigid with and depending trom the vertically movable cross head, and preterably 'termed with a comparatively narrow transverse heel l2, to engage the top 'tace et the ribbon a, clear and just in advance et the pielr up end oit tab t, (usually to engage the tloor et recess 0,), and just in advance et an elevated bearing or tulcrum edge, to bend or ller: the ribbon a, downwardly over said edge as a tulcrum, which dering or bending action et the horizontally splittable paper board or stock will cause horizontal splitting or separation ot the pick up end ot the tab t, trom the body ot thc ribbon, owing to its tendency to remain in its original plane and its resistance to the bending or flexing operation. However, in this species of Figs. 2, 9, and 9a the points 1'1, are provided to puncture the ribbon under the pressing action of the pressure heel, and thereby positively lift the tab end, under the flat elevated sole portion 12a, of the presser foot.

In order to strip the ribbon a, upwardly from the pin points 11, and to flex the ribbon to approximately again restore the freed or loosened tab pick up end to its seat within the top of theribbon and to the plane of the ribbon, I provide a vertically movable plunger 13, in the bed 3', movable vertically through the die plate 11a, and yieldingly upheld by expansion spring 13, to normally elevate the paper ribbon a, above and clear of the points 11, with the under surface of the ribbon bearing on, and when feeding forward, sliding` across the top end of said plunger. This plungeris located, in this embodiment, just in advance of the vertical plane of movement of the presser heel 12. Vhen this heel descends on its operative stroke, it depresses the ribbon a, and with it the plunger against the tension of the plunger elevating spring 13a. When the presser heel has completed its operation and returns on its upward stroke, the plunger under the tension of its spring, moves upwardly and strips the ribbon a, upwardly clear and free of the pin points, and upholds theribbon a, clear of said points on the next forward advancing step of the ribbon a, which brings the ribbon area just operated on to the stapling position At the stapling position, a staple s, is driven through the ribbonI and clinched, with'the top cross portion of the staple seated down in the previously depressed groove g.

The next forward advancing step of the ribbon a, brings the stapled area to the final or punching position, at which the completed disk is cut from ribbon a, and drops onto belt f o, for delivery to the waterproofing mechanism or for final delivery without waxing or other treatment.

When thus completed, the freed or split pick up ends of the tabs of the closure disks do no t project upwardly beyond the planes of the top surfaces of the disks but are seated down in their sockets flush with the disk top surfaces. The various parts and mechanisms that operate on the disk forming areas of the paper ribbon a, are accurately spaced with respect to the operating strokes of the ribbon feeding devices, to bring about accurate operative registration of said areas of the ribbon with said parts and mechanisms, when the ribbon comes to rest after each advancing step.

The incising blades are set to penetrate about half way through the paper ribbon, and

this is also true of the hollow punch 9.

incised and non-stapled caps,

For the production of some closure disks,

-the groove forming presser punch 8, and the recess floor presser die 10, can be either or both omitted.

In apparatus for producing the closure disks of my said Patent 1,403,532, it is within my present invention, to utilize the hollow punch 9, and cooperating features, with or without the presser die 10, although I prefer to use this die, and this apparatus will then not employ the presser means 8, or the tab end releasing devices 11, 12, and the spring plunger, or the stapling mechanism.

Also, it is within my invention to omit the mechanisms that perform steps B, C, D, E, while employing mechanisms that perform steps A, E, and the stapling and punching mechanisms, to produce the closure disk without the cut out recess c, but with the stapled outlined tab having its pick up end separated or partially freed.4

Also, my invention is not -confined to any particular shape or form of incising blade 6, nor to the provision of one blade to outline the tab. The tab can be outlinedby several blades plus the recess c. The blade 6, need not be annular or continuous in form. The blade can be U-shaped with its inner ends separatedv so that the inner ends of thc incision can be intersected and connected by the recess c, or the longitudinal edges of the tab can be outlined by separated incisions to be bridged and connected by the recess c.

I gain advantages, however, by employing two steps to completely outline the tab top, namely, by first incising the longitudinal form or edges of the tab by blade 6, and then completing the tab form by the cross cut, namely; recess c, made by punch 9, joining the spaced separated inner ends of the first incision made by blade 6, or vice versa.

The apparatus can also be utilized to produce a top incised disk or cap on the order of that shown by Fig. 10, but without the staple, by removing or disconnecting the stapling apparatus.

Also, the apparatus can be utilized for the manufacture of a sheet paper material disk or cap, say on the order of those shown by Figs. 10 and 11, with one or more top recesses, such as o, formed by removing a paper plug, but without the stap-le and without the top and/or top and bottom incisions. To roduce such non-incised and non-stapled dis rs, it is only necessary to disconnect or remove the incising and stapling devices. In such nonthe top recesses formed by cutting and removing the paper plug, provide shoulders and weakened puncturing portions, whereby the disks can be more readily removed from bottle mouths by the use of forks, ice picks and other implements.

Various other means than the puneturing points 11, can be employed to perform step F.. namelyr-to free or split the pick-up end portion ofthe tab t.'

For instance, in Figs. 12, 18 and 14, I show simple mechanism for this purpose that can be successfully employed in the apparatus in place of the puncturing pin mechanism of Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 9a, and this mechanism embodies a liXed upward spherical or other.`

rounded projection 20, rising from the top lace of die plate 11, or of the bed 3, immediately under the pick-up end portion of the tab z5, when the web is at rest for performance oi step E. rIhis upward projection can be formed for instance, by a steel roller bearing ball partially embedded in and rising from plate 11a, that represents the bed 3. The purpose of this projection 20, is to form an upward bulge in the paper web a, when that web is forced down at points in front of and behind the pick-up end of the tab. `When the paper is thus flexed, the pick up end of the tab will be caused tosplit, as hereinbefore described, and as illustrated particularly by Fig. 13. To thus depress the paper web a, on the projection 20, I show the reciprocatory head 4, formed with spaced depending presser bars or members 21, one arranged to bear down on the base portion of tab t, in rear of the projection 20, and the other to simultaneously'strike and bear down on the paper in iront of the tab end and about at the recess c, and at the front portion of the pro jection 20, or immediately in iront thereof. These presser bars 21, will thus press' the paper down over the projection, and the tab end will be thereby released. While the paper web remains at rest, the bars 21, will start up on their return stroke, and the paper will thereupon spring back to normal flat plane torrn with the tab approximately flush with the top face thereof, When the head 4, is elevated, the paper web on its @feeding strokes, slides forward on projection or projections 20.

Figs. 15, 16 and 17, illustrate still another mechanism that can be substituted in the apparatus, tor the puncturing point arrangement, 'lor performing the step E, that frees or spilts the tab pick-up end. In Figs. 15, 16 and 17, at the point where step F, is performed, the paper web ai, travels across and rests on the tlat top face ci a transverse bar or elevated anvil 23, so arranged that when the web comes to rest, the recess c, will be in advance of said anvil, and the tab t, will be over the anvil with its pick-upend projecting lorwardly therefrom (Fig. 15) 'l`he vertically reciprocatory head 4, carries a vertical depending transverse presser bar 24, movable toward and trom the top tace olE anvil 23, and another simultaneously movable depending and parallel presser bar 25, spaced forwardly a distance trom bar 24, and depending to a lower level than does bar 24, and movable in a vertical plane in advance ot anvil 23E. 'lhe When step E, is completed, the head 4, rises, i

and the paper web returns to its normal flat form or condition, with the tab end approximately ilush with the top surface of the web.

Furthermore, whatever. mechanism is elnployed to free or strip the pick-np ends of the tabs, it is desirable that these ends of the tabs be restored to position flush with the top surfaces of the completed closure disks, This is accomplished by the natural resiliency of the paper and by the cooperating rolls between which the paper web and the comy pleted disks are passed before iinal discharge from the cap making and paraining machinery.

No claim is herein made specifically to the species of Figs. 12 to 17, both inclusive, and to the correspondin methodspecies that involves bendingor exing the paper stock to split the same to tree the pull tab panel, as such are specifically claimed in my copending application tiled Dec. 3, 1928, S. No. 323,384 for production of split up pull tab closure disks.

What I claim is 1r In the production of closure disks from a flat ribbon of paper stock by successive operations on successive areas f the ribbon and cutting out such areas to form the disks; those steps which comprise incising successive disk Jorrning areas of the stock through a porn tion of its thickness to outline atleast the longitudinal edges of a panel to split up from the ultimate disk to form a pull tab, and cutting partially through the thickness of the ribbon to form a paper plug and withdrawing and removing thepaper plug to leave an open top closed bottom recess dehning and exposing the pick-up edge ot said panel.

2. ln the production of a paper material stock closure disk cut partially through to term a panel that can be split trom thetlaody of the disk and litted at one end to form a pull tab, those steps which comprise cutting the stock part way through its thickness to outline a pull-tab torrning panel having an opentop recess exposing the pick-up end ol" the panel, and depressing and leveling the door ol' said recess.

3. ln the production ot a dat closure disk ol paper material stock having a panel that can be split up at one end trom the body ol the disk to lorrn a pull tab that is stitched or stapled to the body ol the disk; those steps ilo ldd

'said which consist in forming pull tab defining incisions partially through the stock, cutting partially through the stock to form a paper plug and removing the plug to form a recess defining and exposingthe pick up end of the pull tab, securing the pull tab to the body of the stock by stitching, such as stapling, transversely through the stock, and finally cutting the disk from the stock.

4. In the production of closure disks from sheet paper stock, those steps which consist in -incising successive areas of the stock part way through the thickness thereof to form panels that can be picked up from one end and split from the stock to form closure cap pull tabs; puncturing the successive areas from below said panels to free or split the pick up end portions of said areas from the body of the stock; and finally cutting the areas from the stock to form the disks.

5. In the production of closure disks, those steps which comprise advancing a ribbon of paper stock step by step, incising successive areas of, the paper stock part way through the stock to outline pull tabs, successively puncturing said stock from the side op, osite the panels to strip the pick-up ends of the panels, and finally cutting the areas from the stock to form the completed closure disks.

6. In a paratus for the production of closure dis rs comprising, means to advance a ribbon of paper stock, means to incise and out successive areas of said stock part way through to form each area with a pull tab portion that can be split up from one end from the body of the stock, puncturing and pressure means for separating or splitting the pick-up ends of said portions from the body of the stock, and means for finally cutting said areas from the stock as closure disks.

7. Apparatus Afor the production of pull tab closure disks from sheet paper material stock, comprising means for cutting areas of the stock part way through to provide each area with a pull tab portion that can be thereafter partially split from the body of the stock to form a tab, means for then operating on said cut areas for separating or splitting the pick-up ends of said ull tab portions from the body of the stock y relative movements of the. stock and said ends of portions and for then bringing said ends back into the plane of the stock, and thereafter cutting vsaid areas from the stock in closure disk form.

8. Closure disk producing apparatus comprising means for advanclng a ribbon of paper stock, a cutter for incising successive areas of the stock to provide each area -With panel to split up to form a tab, means to impress a groove transversely of each panel; means to secure staples to and through the stock, one staple for each panel and seated in said groove of the panel; a punch for removing a plug of paper from each stock area at the pick up end of its said panel; a presser die to depress the floor of each opentop recess formed by the removal of said plugs; means to-free or split the pick up end of each panel from the body of the ribbon; and al cutter .to punch out said areas as complete closure disks.

9. Closure disk producing apparatus comprising means for advancing a ribbon of paper stock; a bed over which said ribbon advances; a vertically reciprocatory cutter above said bed and ribbon to incise areas of the stock part Way through in the formation of panels to split from the body of the stock to provide the completed disks with pull tabs; a vertically reciprocatory presser foot above said bed and ribbon; a puncturing point rising from said bed below and out of vertical alinement with said foot; a spring-upheld plunger carried by said bed and bearing up against said ribbon to normally elevate the same clear 'of said point; means for advancing the ribbon step by step to successively bring each said area of the ribbon to rest With the pick up end of its panel above said point and out of vertical alinement with said foot, and means to finally cut said areas from the ribbon as completed pull tab closure disks.

10. Closure disk producing apparatus,com prising a bed having an upstanding point; means to hold a sheet of paper stock that has been incised to provide the same with a pull tab capable of splitting up from the body of the stock, with the pick up end of the tab directly above said point; means to cause relative movement of the point and stock to drive the point into the stock below said pick up end to lift the same with respect to the stock; and means to clear the stock and point.

11. Closure disk producing apparatus, comprising cutting means to incise a ull tab panel in one side of sheet paper stoc r; a bed to face one side of said stock; a pin point rising from said bed; a depressible springupheld device normally holding the stock yieldingly upheld from said point; and a presser die having a depending heel out of line with said panel, said die being movable with respect to the bed toward and from said stock to cause its heel to depress the stock and said device to drive thc point into the stock to elevate the panel pick-up end, said spring-upheld device adapted to elevate thc stock clear of said pointon the return stroke of the die.

12. Closure disk producing apparatus, comprising cutting means to incise a pull tab panel in the side of sheet paper material stock; a bed backing said stock; a hollow punch movable toward and 'from said stock to cut a plug in and part way through said stock and to remove the paper plug there from; and means for removing and discharging the paper plugs from the interior of said punch.

13. Closure disk producing apparatus, com prising a step by step feed for advancing a ribbon of paper stock over a bed; means for incising areas of said stock to form pull tab panels therein; a member movable toward and from the incised side of the ribbon and provided with a ,hollow punch to cut and remove paper plugs -from each area adjacent to the pick up ends of said panels to form open top recesses in said areas, said unch having a tapering bore through which the removed plugs feed from the cutting end ot the punch, a chamber being provided to loosely receive said plugs, air passages and connections being also provided for removing and discharging said plugs from said chamber by air flow. A i

14. Apparatus for producingiiat paper closure disks from sheet paper stock, comprising means for transversely incising the the stock part Way through its thickness to outline thereon a panel capable of being picked up and partially split from the body of the paper to forma pull tab; and mechanisln for driving 'a staple through the stock and clinching the same to transversely overliethe stock approximately at the base portion of said panel to limit the splitting of the pull tab from the stock.

15. Apparatus for producing flat paper closure disks from sheet paper, comprising means to vertically incise the paper part way through to form elongated vertical cuts spaced apart at adjacent ends and outlining the longitudinal edges of a pull tab panel; and 'means to form a transverse vertical cut part way through the paper and joining said ends to form the pick up end of the tab.

16. Apparatus for producing flat paper disks including paper stock feed means; means for cutting and removing paper plugs from the stock; and means forming air blast discharge passages or said paper plugs.

17. Apparatus for producing flat paper material closure disks, including paper stock feed means; a. bed for said stock; means for cutting, and relnoving a paper plug from each disk forming area of the paper stock to form therein a top recess but part Way through the thickness ofthe stock; and means for cutting said areas from the stock to orm disks having such top recesses. i

18. In the production of sheet paper material closure disks from paper stock; that step which consists in incising the stock part Way through its thickness. to outline a paper plug and removing the plug to form a recess closed at the bottom by a relatively thin floor. In testimony whereof I have hereunto .set my hand at Fulton, New York, this 15th day of September', 1927.

WILBUR LuWRIGHT. 

